Clara E. Johnson, age 103 of Ripon, Wis. formerly of Wiota, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Ripon Medical Center in Ripon. She was born in Wiota Township in Lafayette County, on Jan. 6, 1915 the daughter of Simon and Sena (Lund) Simonson. She attended Hawley School near Wiota through 8th grade. After school, Clara worked for several families doing housekeeping and childcare. She later moved to Freeport, Ill., where she nannied for a family. Clara was united in marriage to Bernard Johnson on March 5, 1938 at Wiota Lutheran Parsonage. Together they farmed near Wiota and continued to live on the farm after their retirement. In 2000 they moved to Ripon where she has resided since.
Clara was a lifelong member of Wiota Lutheran Church and its Women of the ELCA where she served in several capacities over the years. She proudly served as the first president of the Wiota Fireman’s Auxiliary.  Clara and Bernard were strong supporters of the Wiota Home Talent Baseball Team and the little league team. They were avid Wisconsin Badger, Green Bay Packer, and Milwaukee Brewer fans. Clara enjoyed her family gatherings and took a special liking to events involving her grandchildren. She had many hobbies including: crafts, sewing, auctions, garage sales, and braiding rugs for her family, friends, and church bazaars.
Clara is survived by her four children: Ron (Carol) Johnson of Darlington, Richard (Carol) Johnson of Madison, Susan (Harry) Friedli of Ripon, and Jon (Liz) Johnson of Madison; six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bernard in 2002; her in-laws: Albert (Bernice) Johnson; two brothers: Oscar and Herman Simonson; four sisters: Hazel Miller, Mert Simonson, Viola Stricker, and Vivian Furniss; four brothers-in-law: Harold Miller, Robert Stricker, Jim Furniss, and George Johnson; brother and sister-in-law: Henry (Bonnie) Elzen; two nieces; two nephews; and several other relatives.
A funeral service was held Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Wiota Lutheran Church (6682 Highway 78, South Wayne, WI) with Rev. Traci Maass officiating. Burial was in West Wiota Cemetery. A visitation was held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church on Monday.  The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Clara’s name.
Clara was a fun-loving lady and will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and caretakers.